World Cup Pool Guides: Pool A

With 16 teams competing at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, here is a run-down of each team’s World Cup history, their aspirations for the tournament and key personnel. First up, Pool A.

ENGLAND
• Manager: John Mitchell Appointed: 2023 Nationality: New Zealand
• Captain: Zoe Aldcroft Position: Lock/Back Row Club: Gloucester-Hartpury
• Key Player: Megan Jones Position: Centre Club: Trailfinders Women
How Many World Cups: Nine

World Cup History: England have a rich history at World Cups, going back to 1991 where four Englishwomen came together to pioneer the first ever women’s tournament. England have won the tournament twice (1994 and 2014), and have been runners up six times. Only once not making the final in 1998.

Current Form: England are currently on a winning streak of 27 matches, their last defeat coming in the 2022 World Cup final to New Zealand. It seems no one has been able to test the Red Roses since that historic day at Eden Park, except perhaps Canada in WXV 1 last year.

Tournament hopes: To win the tournament. However, they have the pressure of a nation on their shoulders, freshly expectant off the back of the Lionesses; back-to-back European Championship wins. Another runners up medal will not be good enough for their incredibly high standards.

AUSTRALIA
• Manager: Jo Yapp Appointed: 2023 Nationality: England
• Captain: Siokapesi Palu Position: Back Row Club: ACT Brumbies
• Key Player: Maya Stewart Position: Wing Club: NSW Waratahs
How Many World Cups: Seven (debut in 1998)

World Cup History: Although Australia didn’t play in the first two World Cups, the Wallaroos made a big impact on their debut in 1998, finishing in fifth place after beating Scotland in the plate final.

However, it wasn’t their best World Cup performance, that would happen 12 years later, with the Australians winning a bronze medal in England 2010. They haven’t missed a World Cup since 1998.

Current Form: Australia, under Jo Yapp, has geared up to become a more threatening side, with their 2024 WXV2 campaign a perfect example of what they can accomplish when they are given a world class coach, more respources ans financial backing from their union.

This year they have fallen short of making an impact during the Pacific Four Series, conceding heavy defeats against the Black Ferns and Canada, with their weaknesses exposed. This did provide them time to address their defensive structure and set-piece reliability before the World Cup starts.

Tournament hopes: With Australia only facing England in the closing game of Pool A, the Wallaroos will only ‘need’ to beat lower ranked Samoa and the United States to earn a quarter-final spot.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• Manager: Sione Fukofuka Appointed: 2023 Nationality: Australia
• Captain: Kate Zackary Position: Back Row Club: Ealing Trailfinders
• Key Player: Hope Rogers Position: Prop Club: Exeter Chiefs
How Many World Cups: Nine

World Cup History: The first-ever champions of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991, the USA, have never missed the tournament, being one of the few nations to do so. They would proceed to finish in second place in the 1994 and 1998 editions but have failed to make it into the grand final since then.

Current Form: It has been a performance rollercoaster for the US over the last two years, as while they have the talent and ambition to go the extra mile, they failed to show it in the 2024 WXV2 and the 2025 Pacific Four Series. While they have been able to throw a few great on-point ‘punches’, rolling a menacing driving maul, their unstable discipline and incohesive flair have been lingering issues, issues that can plague their World Cup aspirations.

Tournament Hopes: This will be make it or break it hour for the Eagles, who will have a hill to climb if they want to qualify for the later stages of the World Cup. While they are a world apart from England, they can dare to dream with a win against Australia, which will be enough to earn themselves a spot in the quarter-finals. Likely to draw upon the experience of captain Zackary, Rachel Johnson and powerhouse Hope Rogers, the team does have some exciting new combinations to call on to including bronze medal winning sevens Olympians Alev Kelter and Ilona Maher in the midfield.

SAMOA
• Manager: Ramsey Tomokino Appointed: 2018 Nationality: Samoan
• Captain: Sui Pauaraisa Position: Back Row Club: Linwood RFC
• Key Player: Karla Wright-Akeli Position: Fullback Club: Ponsonby Rugby Club
How Many World Cups: 3 (debut in 2002)

World Cup History: Samoa qualified for three World Cups, with their best placement in 2002 finishing in ninth place

Current Form: After coming in second place in last year’s WXV3, Samoa has only played two Test matches since then, defeating Tonga and conceding to Fiji. They have also faced Australia A in July, registering a 50-22 loss.

Tournament Hopes: Can Samoa topple any of their pool foes and provide a historical World Cup upset? The Manusina have been making significant progress, but it will be a huge mountain to climb, mainly as they have never defeated England, Australia or the USA in the past.

Want to see which players from this pool made RugbyPass’ Top 50 Women’s Players in the world? View the Top 50 list here.